Employee charged with murdering man, 87, at Maryland senior living facility and for shooting at Trooper during traffic stop

(February 26, 2026) A routine traffic stop in Baltimore City erupted into gunfire early Tuesday morning when a driver opened fire on a Maryland State Trooper at close range. Hours later, a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional manhunt ended with the suspect’s arrest in Montgomery County.

Maurquise Emillo James, 22, of Baltimore, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, felony assault, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and other related offenses. Following consultation with the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, prosecutors filed charges against James, who is being held without bond in Montgomery County on separate, unrelated violent crime charges.

Those other charges?  The Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division had arrested James in connection with the fatal shooting of 87-year-old Robert Fuller Jr. at a senior living facility in Potomac.  In that case, 22-year-old Maurquise Emillo James, of Baltimore, was arrested on February 24, 2026, and charged with first-degree murder. James was an employee of the Cogir Potomac Senior Living facility at the time of the shooting.  ~ Montgomery County Police Department

According to WMTW, authorities announced Wednesday that they arrested James in connection with the shooting death of former Maine attorney and philanthropist Robert Fuller Jr. at that senior living facility.  Fuller, 87, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head inside his apartment at Cogir Potomac Senior Living on February 14.

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Getting back to James shooting at the Trooper . . . that gunfire unfolded shortly before 3:30 a.m. at the intersection of Belle Avenue and Milford Avenue. A trooper assigned to the Golden Ring Barrack attempted to stop a 2009 Infiniti G37 traveling without headlights or license plates.

According to investigators, the driver pulled over at a stop sign. As the trooper approached the vehicle on foot, the driver—later identified as James—suddenly opened the door and fired two rounds in the trooper’s direction from close range before fleeing the scene. The trooper did not return fire.

Despite the proximity of the gunfire, the trooper survived. He was treated at a local hospital for injuries and later released. In accordance with department policy, he has been placed on administrative leave. Fortunately, the trooper was not seriously injured.

Law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions quickly mobilized. Through intelligence sharing and coordinated investigative efforts involving state, local, and federal partners—including the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department, and Montgomery County Police Department—authorities tracked James to Montgomery County where he was apprehended at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Investigators believe James was behind the wheel of the Infiniti involved in the shooting. Search warrants executed at two residences connected to him in Baltimore City and Baltimore County led to the recovery of the 2009 Infiniti G37, along with additional evidence.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit is leading what officials describe as an active and ongoing investigation. Crime scene technicians and forensic scientists from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division are assisting. Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the Maryland State Police at 410-653-4200. Callers may remain confidential.

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(Source and cover photo of Maurquise Emillo James: Maryland State Police)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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